Craig Gordon reveals Neil Critchley discussions as he sends rallying message ahead of new Tynecastle era

Craig Gordon says it’s time for Hearts to unite as the Neil Critchley era prepares for take-off.

The veteran goalkeeper has been on Scotland duty over the last week, but has already held talks with the new head coach arriving in Gorgie. Critchley has replaced Steven Naismith, who was sacked last month, as the club sit bottom of the Premiership and waiting for their first domestic win of this season.

Coming in with managerial experience at Blackpool and QPR alongside vast coaching work with the likes of Aston Villa and Liverpool, the response to his appointment has divided fan opinion. From what Gordon has heard from Hearts training, the new head coach has made an impression ahead of this weekend’s game vs St Mirren. And he reckons unity is key.

Gordon said: “I spoke to him just before he got announced. He was at the team hotel and I managed to grab a couple of minutes in passing just to touch base and wish him all the best. It was a general chat. It’s a new era for us back at Hearts, an exciting one. I am looking forward to getting back there and getting started.

“It’s up to us to win games. If we win games that will soon change. It is everyone’s responsibility to rally and get ourselves out the predicament we find ourselves in. Everybody deserves a chance. It’s quite clearly way too early to be negative about it.

“It’s been a robust process going down the analytics route and that seems to be the way forward. I think it is going to be good, I spoke to a few of the players and they were happy with training, and are looking forward to getting started.”

Gordon was speaking after playing a key role in Scotland holding Portugal to a 0-0 draw in Nations League A1 at Hampden. The veteran made a number of saves to keep the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo at bay, and he hopes the clean sheet can kickstart form at club level.

He added: “We always look to come out of a game with a clean sheet. You know it’s going to be incredibly difficult when it’s against a team the calibre of Portugal, and the talent they have in their ranks. It was great to come out with a clean sheet and the boys in front of me and even the midfield, the work they got through to limit them was a great team effort.

“You are going to have to defend well, frustrate and do that side of the game really well and stay very concentrated through the 90 minutes. To a man I thought we were fantastic right across the pitch.

“It’s been a tough week. It doesn’t get any easier with the two games but the guys here are brilliant. All the medical guys, massage guys to get us in that shape to put that amount of effort after only two days recovery is a full team, full squad effort. It’s a testament to the work everyone has put in to finally get a point on the board.”

“I’d take anything to turn the season around! It’s a start. A clean sheet, I have not had one of those in a while. It’s pleasing for me to get out there and help the team get that clean sheet and help this team build towards the future and get a point on the board. It’s a difficult thing to do at this level so for this team it’s a great starting point and hopefully I can take it back to the club and continue that form.”